The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-02

tillssn ~dFN lih"hs -'-
a-weary Of this hushing. All. If there
was a man who didn't say IT to mef' and
Mistress Thankful lifted her fine eyes to
the ceiling.
"You are unwise, Thankful-foolish,
indiscreet. That is why you require
much monition."
Thankful swung her feet In silence for
= few moments, then suddenly geaped
from the table. and. seizing the old man
nv the lapels Of HIS coat, fixed her eyes
upon him and said suspiciously: "Wby
did you keep me from going in the COM
pany room? Why did you bring me in
heres''
Blossom senior was staggered for a
moment. Because, you know, the
count
"And you were afraid the count should
know ! had a sweetheart? Well, I'll 90
in and tell him now. " she said, marching
toward the door.
''Then, why did you not tell him when
you slipped out an hour ago-eh, lass''
queried the old man, g%rasping her hand.
But It's all one, Thankful; twas not for
him / stopped you. There is a young
spark with him-ay, even as you left,
lass-a likely young gallant; and he and
the count are iabbering away in their "
lingo. a kind Of Italian, belize; en-, Thank
full
~ know not. 90 she said t%houghtfully.
(Which way came the other In fact, "a
fear that this young stranger had wit
messed the captains embrace began 10
creep over her.
Prom town, my lass"
Thankful turned TO her father as il she
had been waiting a reply TO a long asked
question: "Welf"
Were it not Wen TO put on a few fur
bellows and a tuckerf' queried the old
man. "'Tis a gallant young spark none
Of your country folk
'No," said Thankful, with the prompt
ness Of a woman who was looking her
best and knew il. And the old man, look
ing at her, accepted her judgment, and
without another word led her TO the parlOr
door. and, opening it, said briefly, MY
daughter, Mistress Thankful Blossom"
With the opening Of the door came the
sound Of earnest voices that instantly
ceased upon the appearance Of Mistress
Thankful. Two gentlemen lolling before
the fire arose instantly, and one came for
ward with an air Of familiar yet respect
ful recognition.
Nay, this is far too great happiness,
Mistress Thankful" he said, with a
strongly marked foreign accent and a still
more strongly marked foreign manner
u have been in despair, and my frieno
here, the Baron Pomposo, likewise"
The slightest trace Of a smile, and the
swiftest Of reproachful glances, lt up the
dark face Of the baron as he bowed low in
the introduction. Thankful dropped the
courtesy Of the period, J. e., a duck, with
semicircular sweep Of the right foot for
wa,d. But the right foot was so pretty,
and the grace Of the little figure soperfect.
that the baron raised his eyes from the
foot TO the face in serious admiration. In
the one rapid feminine glance she had
given him. she had seen that he was
handsome; in the second, which she could
not help from his protracted silence, she
saw that his beauty centered in his girl
ish, half fawn like, dark eyes.
''The baron, explained Mr.. Blossom.
rubbing his hands together rs if through
mere kictiOn he was trying to impart a
warmth 10 the reception which his hard
face discountenanced-"th baron visits
us under encouragement. He comes
from far countries. II is the custom Of
gentlefolk of-of foreign extraction TO
wander through strange lands, comment
ing upon the habits and doings Of the
peoples. He will find in jersey con
tinued Mr.. Blossom, apparently appealing
to Thankful, yet really eyading her con-
temptuous glance, "A hard working yeo-
many. ever ready to welcome the stran-
ger. and account to him, penny for penny
for all his necessary expenditure; for
which purpose. in these troublous times,
he will provide for himself gold OF other
moneys not affected by these local dis
turbances.
He will find, good friend Blossom
said the baron with the soft, quiet gravity
Of his eyes. Beauty, Grace, Accomplish
ment. and-eh-Santa Maria, what shall
| saw He turned %appealingly TO the
count.
Virtue nodded the count.
Truly. Birtoo! all in the fair lady Of
thees countries. All, believe me, honest
friend Blossom, there IS moOch more in
thees than in thOssi''
So much Of this speech was addressed
10 Mistress Thankful that she had to
show at least one dimple in reply, albeit
her orows were slightly knit, and she had
turned upon the speaker her honest, ques-
tioning eyes.
And then the Gen. Washington has
been kind enough TO offer his protection"
added the count.
ANY fool-any one supplemented
Thankful hastily, with a slight blush
may have the generals pass, ay, and his
good word. But what Of Mistress Pru-